Can I run a red light that won’t turn green in California? What state law says
Picture this: You’re stuck at a red light that’s taking forever to change.
No other cars are in sight and the coast appears clear.
How long are you supposed to keep waiting for a red light that won’t turn green? Is there a point when you can ignore the traffic signal and drive through the intersection?
We reached out to California legal experts and law enforcement officials to find out the answer:
Can I legally run a red light that won’t change in California?
According to California Vehicle Code, drivers must stop at a red light before the crosswalk or intersection.
Drivers “shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown,” the law says.
Even if the stoplight is taking longer than usual to turn green, California law enforcement officials said, you are not authorized to proceed into the intersection.
“A slow cycling light does not give a motorist the right to run a red light,” Modesto Police Department spokeswoman Sharon Bear told The Modesto Bee in 2023.
What should you do if the traffic signal is broken?
When a traffic light stops working completely, Bear said, drivers should follow California’s Vehicle Code.
If two cars arrive at the same time at an intersection with no working traffic signals, state law says the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
According to Bear, drivers should call the non-emergency dispatch line for their local law enforcement agency if a light is not cycling properly.
A traffic light is considered inoperative when it goes completely dark due to battery failure, the city of Davis said on its website.
Under those conditions, drivers should treat the intersection like a four-way stop, following standard right-of-way rules.
“Always stop at a darkened intersection, and then proceed with caution,” the city of Davis said.
How should I treat a flashing red light?
In the case of a flashing red light, drivers must make a complete stop before entering the intersection, the California Department of Motor Vehicles said on its website.
When the traffic signal is blinking yellow, drivers can proceed through the intersection with caution, the DMV said.
What should you do if a red light won’t turn green?
Sacramento Police Department Officer Cody Tapley said drivers can try rolling slightly over the sensor to trigger the light cycle.
If that doesn’t work, Tapley said, the safest option is to make a right turn and continue to the next intersection where a legal U-turn is allowed.
Are there any exceptions to red light rules?
You’re only allowed to drive through a red light if police tell you to do so, according to Tapley.
“The only exemption for running a red light is when directed by a law enforcement officer or authorized traffic director,” Tapley told The Sacramento Bee via email in 2023.
You must follow any instructions from a traffic officer, police officer or firefighter — even if they go against traffic signs, signals or laws, according to the city of San Jose.
“For example, a fire vehicle may use a loudspeaker or horn to communicate with drivers blocking their path,” the city website says.
According to Shouse California Law Group, these are three common defenses if someone is accused of running a red light or making an illegal turn on red:
- The red light was hidden or obstructed from view.
- The officer was mistaken in believing you didn’t stop or made an illegal turn.
- You failed to stop or made the turn due to an emergency or to avoid a collision.
Can you get a ticket if a red light won’t change?
If you drive through a red light, Tapley said you could be cited for violating California traffic law.
Running a red light in California can carry a base fine of $100, Sgt. Amar Gandhi of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office previously told The Bee.
With additional fees, the total cost of a ticket can climb to nearly $500.
According to the Shouse California Law Group, a red light violation can also add one point to your DMV driving record.
